Students looking to improve their memory, increase their attention span, and reduce stress may need look no further than the School of Metaphysics Powers of Ten Experience.

“Powers of Ten is a daylong experience in developing and understanding your mind; it is a series of experiential movements exploring consciousness,” said Barbara Condron, founder of the School of Metaphysics.

The nationally touring 10-hour seminar will be given at Iowa State on Aug. 24, in the Scheman Building.

“It’s been [described by participants] like taking 10 years of classes in 10 hours. The amount of information distributed and the power of it are so concentrated,” Condron said.

During the seminar, participants will be guided through mental processes ranging from gaining self-respect to increasing memory and developing intuition.

“It’s talking about human potential and what your potential really is,” Condron said.

Event organizers emphasize that a wide variety of disciplines are covered throughout the seminar.

“It starts with exercises, like doing a consciousness routine, and expands to improve intuition and learn dream interpretation,” Condron said.

Condron said although the event is focused on cognition and mental discipline, it is not a religious event.

“Metaphysics is more of a science than a religion; all you’re doing is going beyond physical capabilities to the other possibilities: mental, emotional and spiritual,” Condron said.

From Tibetan priests to Protestant ministers and 13-year-old girls to 80-year-old men, Condron says people of all religions, ages and backgrounds have attended the Powers of Ten seminar.

Registration for the event is limited to the 75-person room capacity and available online at www.som.org or in person at the start of the event.

The cost for the event is $275, which includes two meals.

Jesse Kern, director of the School of Metaphysics for the Des Moines region, said he is enthusiastic about the event and expects a high turnout.

“We’ve done it at lots of different universities across the United States and we decided to bring the program to [Iowa State University] because it is prominent, has a great location and is a large university,” Kern said.

Kern said information gained through the event is universally applicable, and can be useful to students in any discipline.

“What we teach will aid students in any degree or course of study; [the Powers of Ten] develops concentration and memory, increasing the quality of attention while enhancing and enriching people’s lives,” Kern said.

Students expressed curiosity about the event but were skeptical about its application.

“[The Powers of Ten seminar] sounds interesting, but I’m not sure how reliable it actually is,” said Kellie Kendrick, senior in Spanish.

The School of Metaphysics Powers of Ten seminar is open to the public.

Individuals of all ages and backgrounds are invited to attend.